[Makeup Showdown #1] Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub vs. St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

There are two easily-accessible and inexpensive face scrubs on the market: Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub and St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub. 

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Exfoliator 1: 

Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub

Weight: 140g

Price: C$8.99

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Exfoliator 2:

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

Weight: 150g

Price: C$4.79

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Promises

The phrases that Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub emphasize were "deep cleansing" and "pore unclogging". On the other hand, St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub put much emphasize on its "natural exfoliants". 

Tubes

Both contain actual products in the tubes to be squeezed out. Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub is actually translucent, so it makes it easy to check how much product is left. As for St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, it requires the cap to be opened in order to check the amount of product left inside.

Products

Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub is a white cream-type scrub with blue beads. St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub is also a cream-type scrub with apricot seeds. 

Method of Application 

*Please note that the following method is according to personal preference; therefore, this does not 

After wetting down the skin with warm water, Pore Unclogging Scrub was applied on the left and Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub on the right. Both were evenly massaged for 30 to 40 seconds and washed with cold water.

Facial Reaction

Beads in Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub do not feel harsh at all even when massaged with pressure; they rather give a gentle but deep exfoliation. My face appeared neither red nor irritated, but there was a bit of cooling effect. The scrub left my skin smooth.

Although equal amount of pressure was given to massage with both Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub and St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot, apricot seeds on the apricot scrub was evidently harsher; I had to take extra caution not to pressure the seeds too much. The irritation experienced was also visible as I began to witness a bit of redness on the skin. 

Post-Scrubbing Experience - with Toner

Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub and St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub reacted similarly once wiping down my face with toner-soaked cotton pads. 

Post-Scrubbing Experience - with Moisturizer

There was a visible difference between Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub and St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub when it came to moisturizing. As for the left side of the face scrubbed with Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub, it instantly absorbed the moisturizer and created a healthy and fuller-looking skin. It also felt smoother than before.

As for the right side of the face scrubbed with St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, the moisturizer was lingering on the surface of the skin a bit longer instead of getting soaked with it as the left side of the face did.

Recommendation

As the review exemplifies, I highly prefer Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub much more than St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub. However, I recommend: 

- Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub to those who require a mild yet thorough cleansing and 

- St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub to those who require a scrub with natural ingredients and cruelty-free products.

If there's any makeup challenge you would like to see, please let me know in the comment section below! If not, please tweet me @CDistrict9000212 with a hashtag #CDMS (stands for Cosmetic District Makeup Showdown)!

xoxo

cynthia.

Copyright © CDistrict900212, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

[Empties] April 2013

REGULAR-SIZED PRODUCTS

Lancome Visionnaire (30ml | $90) 

This product functions as moisturizer and, although I am not a person who is very weary of the changes on my skin, I was able to tell that this product has minimized severe acnes and most of my minor acnes. ★★★★☆ 

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory ($12.99)

This product is used to brighten up under & inner corners of my eyes as well as my nose. While it definitely highlights and glides on the skin quite smoothly, but it fails to cover up much and settled in creases. The brush is slightly harsh too. ★★★

Bioderma Sensibio H2O (500ml | $30)

This product is effective even for base and waterproof makeup. I apply this product on two cotton rounds to remove the entire makeup. It leaves the skin hydrated. ★★★★☆

Purell Hand Sanitizer (236 ml | $?)

Hand sanitizing is the key in reducing acne problem; therefore, I usually sanitize my hand before starting my makeup routine. I've tried other brands, but this sanitizer moisturizes while sanitizing. It also dries fast. ★★★☆

Jack Black Lip Balm in Lemon (0.25oz | $7.50)

This is my Holy Grail lip balm that I use everyday. It is the only product that will melt my lips. ★★★★

Deborah Lippmann Rehydrating Base Coat (15 ml | $20.00)

I don't really agree with the hydrating part, but this base coat is still great. ★★★

Delon+ 100% Pure Cotton Premium Cotton Rounds ( 8 Packs of 100 Rs | $10.99)

It is just a pack of cotton rounds, but it has one piece/layer of slightly rough fabric attached on top of the cotton rounds. The rough side is quite helpful in removing nail polishes. If it is not used for the purpose of removing nail polishes, remove that fabric to use soft sides. It is hypoallergenic,  soft, absorbent, and used by cosmeticians. It also contains aloe vera and provitamin B5. It is also not tested on animals. ★★★☆

Macadamia Rejuvenating Shampoo (ml | $18)

(Image Credit: Amazon)

It is a shampoo that helps maintain my brunette hair colour. My hair tends to turn brunette/brown colour into lighter colour (ex. brassy blonde-brown), but this shampoo has helped me maintain the colour that I prefer. However, it is expansive, does not make my hair smooth in comparison to my other shampoos and fails to keep the scent last all day. ★★☆

SAMPLE & SAMPLE-SIZED PRODUCTS

Dior Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet (Sample Size | $0) 

This product is one of my Holy Grail perfume that I use everyday. It is very floral and fresh; but it does not last more than 2-3 hours, so I always keep a sample-sized container in my purse. Unfortunately, it was a limited edition perfume and it is no longer available. ★★★★☆

Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System (2ml each | $0)

(Image Credit: Sephora)

This skin care system contained 4 try-ons of Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying Lotion 2, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (2-day supply). As for the Facial Soap, it was very mild, but there was not a factor that would attract me to purchase the actual product. Clarifying Lotion 2 felt like nothing but an alcohol. Although I avoided my eye area, it was burning and irritating. I tried it several times in order to see the difference, but it never got any better. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion was definitely hydrating and made the surface very smooth. However, it was not enough for night time use. ★★★☆

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream With Super 7 Complex (Sample Size | $0)

(Image Credit: Sephora)

It feels like whip cream melting onto your skin. It sinks into the skin quite easily and smoothly too, leaving your skin very fresh and healthy-looking. It smells like freshly-cutted cucumber. ★★★★

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream (0.05 oz | $0)

(Image Credit: Sephora)

I enjoyed using this product at night. It was very smooth, keeping my skin extra moisturized overnight. ★★★★


I hope this empties/mini-review was helpful. See you tomorrow with my April Haul!

xoxo
Cynthia.

[Lancome] Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate Review & Photos

Size: 1.7 FL. OZ. (or 50mL)

Price: $125.00 + tax 

Type: For all skin type

Availability
This product can be purchased at department store make-up counters and all over the Internet.


Ingredients (as provided by Amazon.com)
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Octyldodecanol, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate.

Container/Packaging

Genifique comes in a light silver box explaining that it "create[s] a more youthful looking skin by promoting the production of proteins that are characteristic of young skin". As for the foremost results, Lancome commonly mentions the "re-plump[ing]" of skin with "refined and re-illuminated" complexion. 

The actual product comes in a black-to-white gradient glass with a silvery metal lid accompanying a glass pipette. The container feels larger and heavier in comparison to the amount of product inside. 


Product
It comes in an white opaque liquid form which is slightly thicker than Tonique Comfort (click here for the review) but not so thick for a serum. With half a pea-sized drop of Genifique, it can cover 4/5 of one's palm. Therefore, it only requires about two full drops from the pipette for the entire face. 


As rolled onto the skin, it instantly gives a smooth and even texture and soaks into the surface within 2-30 seconds or so, depending on one's skin type. Regardless of the type, the result is jaw-dropping: even, plumped and smooth surface. 


There seems to be no improvement of the pore sizes, spots, and wrinkles. 

Scent
It smells like a cheap-scented glue with a hint of almost unrecognizable peach scent but there is definitely a stronger scent that overpowers the pleasant scent. Overall, it's not an enjoyable scent.

Would I Recommend This Product? 
Despite harsh criticisms it receives, I'm thoroughly enjoying this product. Although I didn't purchase Visionnare, I accompany Genifique with Tonique Comfort and Bienfait Aqua Vital Continuous Infusing Moisturizer. As for the result, I'm so satisfied with the combination that Biotherm Aquasource is not a part of my skincare anymore (although I praised so much about it). After my second container, I don't have any plan to make the next purchase because I love the feel of the instant absorption of moisture.
Overall, this was a great investment for me. 

Pictures

I hope this review was helpful and if you have any question, please leave it in the comment section below. Thank you so much and have a great day!

xoxo

cynthia.

[Collective Haul] Yesstyle, eBay, Ardene, Sephora, Urban Decay, Jack Black, and Biotherm

Ardene

Beret is my current obsession I bought this Burgundy beret and another from Forever21.

They are so chic but also totally necessary when you are trying to live in Canada :P

Yesstyle

I made a few purchases from Yesstyle.com (of which I highly regret).

They had  some Korean clothes that I've seen back in August that 

Koreans have sold (or are still selling) in stores or online.

The website costs twice as much and I really wish I didn't make these purchases.

 I really wish I checked the website more thoroughly so that I can realize this fact but

the realization hit me AFTER I made these purchases so...ugh.

Plus, they advertize about FREE SHIPPING with $150 or more

and guess what.... I had to pay $64 dollars per FedEx box, 

which cost me $130~140 just for getting these shipped.

Ugh.

eBay

NO INFRINGEMENT INTENDED

I forgot to take a picture of this dress but this is what I bought.

And it came with a pair of earrings like so. I don't like the earrings but

I'm totally satisfied with the dress. It's amazing.

NO INFRINGEMENT INTENDED

I also bought this one but this really emphasizes your chest area and

......i'm not getting into this.

Sephora

I know that there was a F&F sale back in November but I really had NO TIME

so I hit Sephora right after when I received that $20 (or was it $15?) coupon.

NAKED PALETTE 

I know NAKED2 was coming but as soon as I saw Frmheadtotoe's review,

I decidedly bought this one (it's my first NAKED palette FYI) and 

I'm perfectly proud. I'm not planning on purchasing NAKED2 anyway.

Biotherm 24h Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel

This is my second bottle and I absolutely love it! 

I had a second thought of purchasing a Clinique one,

but I still prefer this one over Clinique. For sure.

(Clinique one feels slightly sticky and it feels 100% dried,

leaving your skin smooth. Definitely leaning towards the pricier side.)

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Lemon & Chamomile

This is my current obsession since the moment of my purchase.

I really didn't want to try the tester one since I don't trust what other people 

have done to it (they might have tried it after a slice of greasy pizza or.. whatever)

so I purchased it, really without thinking. $7.50 + tax for 7g lip balm is horrifying but

it's worth every penny you spend. I've been using this every single day (about two to

 three weeks now....?) but I love it soooooo much. This is my holy grail for now on.

Duty Free

This is what I apply after my Biotherm Aquasource 24h hydration replenishing gel and

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I'VE NEVER REVIEWED ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll review about this product asap. This is one of the permanent items on my skincare routine that I can never forget about. I asked my mom to purchase this because these

are U$150 for two as a combined set. I love this so much.

I also bought a 88 palette from BHcosmetics but they sent me the matte one instead of shimmer one so I have to return it. I'll take a picture of it later when the shimmer one comes back.

And I guess that's all for my collective haul :(

I hope it was helpful and I'll talk to you guys later :D

xoxo

cynthia.